Pencil holder



Aug. 21, 1956 J. E. DE BAUN PENCIL HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1955 v -1NVENTOR.

JOHN E. DE BAUN BY mmq/vzy J. E. DE BAUN PENCIL HOLDER Aug. 21, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 11, 1955 INVENTOR. JOHN E- DE BAUN 8 Afffifi/Vi) United 8tates Patent 2,759,453 PENCIL HULDER John E. De Baun, Ridgewood, N. J. Application July 11, 1955, Serial No. 521,092 7 Claims. (Cl. 1209) This invention relates to holders for pencils, and more particularly has reference to a holder so designed as to facilitate rotation of the pencil to a selected extent within the hoder, for the purpose of presenting, at periodic intervals, dilferent surfaces of the lead to the paper written upon.

When a pencil is in use, a single surface of the lead is usually in engagement with the paper for a substantial period of time. Particularly when the pencil has a soft lead, the point of the pencil wears down on one side, blunting the point and thickening the writing undesirably.

In view of the above, it is desirable that at periodic intervals, the pencil be partially rotated for the purpose of changing the paper-engaging area of the point of the pencil lead, so that the point will be used uniformly over its full circumference, thus prolonging considerably the period of time that elapses before the point becomes completely blunted.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a holder as stated which will be adapted to receive a conventional pencil of hexagonal cross section.

A further object is to so design the holder as to facilitate the insertion and removal of the pencil.

A further object is to form the pencil-rotating means of the holder in such a manner as to cause the pencil to rotate merely by a relatively light downward pressure exerted on the pencil during the actual writing, or at a pause in the writing.

Still another object is to provide a holder having the characteristics referred to above, that will still be capable of manufacture at relatively low cost, from easily obtained, inexpensive materials.

Another object is to provide a device as stated which can be used with mechanical pencils as well as with ordinary lead pencils.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a holder formed according to the present invention, in association with a pencil, a portion of which has been broken away.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional View on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the ratchettoothed, pencil-receiving collar of the device, per se.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the pencil and the upper portion of the device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged "transverse sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the upper bearing collar of the device, per se.

Fig. 8 is a view of a modified construction seen in longitudinal section, in association with a mechanical pencil.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section on line 1010 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the modified construction.

"ice The reference numeral 10 generally designates a holder formed according to the present invention, a conventional pencil engaged in said holder being generally designated 12.

The holder includes a barrel 14, which is of a length sufiicient to cause the entire device to be supported in ones hand, during use of the same. In the several figures of the drawing, the thickness of the wall of the barrel 14- has been somewhat exaggerated, and the distance of said barrel from the adjacent surface of the pencil has also been exaggerated, so as to more clearly show the details of construction. In a commercial embodiment, the barrel would be of a minimum diameter consistent with proper functioning of the device, so as not to enlarge the overall diameter of the writing instrument comprised of the pencil 12 and device 10, any more than is absolutely necessary.

The barrel 14 is formed from sheet metal or the like, and is of tubular formation, being formed at its lower end with circumferentially spaced slots 16 which, in the illustrated embodiment, are angularly spaced apart, to define correspondingly spaced tongues 18. The tongues 18 converge toward their free ends, so as to be disposed in closely spaced relation to the conically tapered tip of the pencil 12. The tongues have a light frictional engagement with the tip, so that the pencil, while rotatable relative to the barrel, will be braked or slowed in its turning to an extent sufficient to facilitate control by the user as to the amount of rotatable movement imparted to the pencil.

Struck inwardly out of the material of the barrel 14, adjacent the tongues 18, at locations diametrically opposite one another (see Fig. 3) are radially, inwardly extending pawls 20. A single pawl can be used, but the two shown afford a better support for the pencil.

A pencil-receiving collar 22 has a center opening 24 of hexagonal cross section, in which the pencil is adapted to be frictionally engaged for rotation with the collar. The collar is externally of cylindrical formation, having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the barrel 14, so as to permit free rotation of the collar relative to the barrel.

On the underside of the collar 22, there is provided an annular series of downwardly projecting ratchet teeth 26 each of which has a straight wall extending in parallelism with the axis of rotation of the pencil, and a sloping wall to permit ratcheting action of the collar over the pawls.

A torsion spring 28 has one end engaged in an opening 32 formed in the marginal part of the collar 22, said opening 32 opening upon the upper surface of the collar as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The other end 34 of the spring seats in a longitudinal slot 36 provided in the barrel 14 at the upper end thereof, and adjacent said upper end of the barrel, inwardly struck lugs 38 are provided, spaced apart about the circumference of the barrel as shown in Fig. 6. An upper, pencil-receiving bearing collar 40 (Fig. 7) has a hexagonal center opening 42 slidably receiving the pencil, and is externally of cylindrical configuration, with an outer diameter matching that of the collar 22 so as to permit free rotation of the collar 40 within the barrel.

At its upper end, the barrel 14 has an inwardly projecting circumferential lip 44, engaging the upper surface of the collar 40, so that the collar is rotatably supported between the lip 44 and the several lugs 38.

The purpose of the slot 36 is to facilitate assembly of the barrel with the spring and ratchet collar 22. The ratchet collar 22 and the spring are preassembled, prior to insertion in the barrel, after the pawls are struck inwardly but before the lip 44 is formed and before the lugs 38 are struck inwardly. The spring and the ratchet collar are inserted in the barrel, the end 34 of the spring sliding within the slot 36 until it reaches the inner end thereof. Then, the lugs 33 are struck inwardly out of the material of the barrel, and the bearing collar 40 is positioned in the barrel, after which the lip 44' is formed to retain the bearing collar within the barrel.

In use, a pencil 12 is inserted through the upper end of the barrel, being forced through the collars 40, 22. until the tip of the pencil projects below the tongues 18. Then, the pencil is gripped in one hand and the barrel in the other hand and the pencil is rotated relative to the barrel, to wind the spring. This places the spring under substantial tension, and during the winding action, turning of the pencil in an opposite direction is prevented by the pawls 20' engaging the abutment walls of the teeth 2s.

When the spring has been fully wound, the writing instrument is ready for use. As the user writes upon the paper, thepaper-contacting area of the pencil point tends to become flattened. When the user notices that. the writing is beginin to thicken, it is necessary only to pause. for a moment in the writing and press downwardly upon the. holder, which is already being gripped between the fingers of the writing hand.

The slight downward pressure on the holder shifts the same in an axial direction relative to the pencil, moving the pawls 20 downwardly to an extent sufficient to permit them to clear the teeth 26. The spring is under tension tending to unwind the same, and as soon as the pawls are disengaged from the teeth 26, the pencil will rotate by unwinding of the spring, with the speed of rotation slowed by frictional engagement of the tongues against the pencil. Only a momentary rotation of the pencil is necessary, and the action can be obtained merely by exerting a slight downward pressure on the holder and almost immediately relieving said pressure. The spring is not only under tension tending to unwind the same, but also tends to expand in an axial direction, so as to maintain continuous pressure against the bearing collar 22 in a direction efiective to shift the bearing collar toward the pawls 20. Thus, the moment the pressure is relieved and the pencil is momentarily lifted from the paper, the spring will cause the teeth 26 of the collar 22 to engage once again with the pawls 20, stopping the unwinding of the spring and hence the rotation of the pencil.

In this way, a different writing surface will be presented to the paper, without requirement, so far as the user is concerned, of doing more than exerting the slight, momentary downward pressure on the pencil holder 10. Periodically, whenever the writing tends to thicken indicating a flattening of the pencil point, the action is repeated, to again rotate the pencil. Over a period of time, all surfaces of the pencil through the entire circumference of the pencil point will be used, thus wearing the pencil point uniformly throughout its circumference and hence prolonging the period of time that must elapse before the pencil needs to be fully sharpened. once again.

In Figs. 8-11 a modified construction is shown, wherein the device 10 is shown in use with a mechanical pencil 1 2*. The device is similar in every respect to the holder 10- except' for extending almost the full length of pencil Ill The holder thus includes a barrel 14* having inwardly struck diametrically opposed pawls 20* engageable with teeth 26* of a collar 22 to which is connected one end 'of aspring 28 the other end 34 of whichis engaged in a slot of the barrel.

The. mechanical pencil is basically conventional, and hence. includes a tubular housing 46. of hexagonal cross section within which is stationarily mounteda coil spring 48 surrounding a guide tube 50 in which. travels the lead 52. Tube 50 has a longitudinal slot and the lead 52 is engaged with a. follower 54 sliding in the tube. Sti and having a. radial pin 56 projecting. through theslot and-engagingbetween adjacent convolutions of the spring.

The, tube .50 at. its upper end is secured to. a turning.

knob 58 exposed beyond the barrel 14 Also exposed is a part of the tubular housing 46 and secured to the barrel is a leaf spring detent 60 of inverted L shape having a horizontally, radially, inwardly extending free end portion which can be pressed against the wall of the housing 46 by a user to anchor the housing against rotation relative to the barrel M whenever the knob 58 is being turned to either advance or retract the lead 52. Were there no way to manually control this tendency of the housing, it would tend to turn with the knob and of course, under these circumstances, the pencil lead would not be extendable or retractable.

The device in this form not only can be used exactly in the same way as the holder 1% but further, is also adapted to extend the lead. To do this, one holds the knob 53 against rotation, with spring 28 wound. Then the pawls are disengaged from the teeth and the barrel 14 and housing 4d will rotate as one relative to the knob, causing the lead to be extended.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and means rotatably mounted within the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said means including a pair of collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the collars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged to prevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the. pawl is engaged with the teeth.

2. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and means rotatably mountedwithin the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said. means including a pair of. collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being: externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the'coll'ars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged to prevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth, the spring being further tensioned to expand in an axial direction, so as to exert pressure on said one collar tending to hold the same in engagement with the pawl, the barrel being axially shiftable relative to said one collar to disengage the pawl from the teeth, thus to free the collars and pencilfcr rotation in said one direction, to change the surface area of the pencil pointthat is in engagement with the surface on which'the pencil is being used.

3. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and meansrotatably mounted within the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said means-including a pair of collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the collars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged toprevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth, the spring being further tensioned to expand in an axial direction, so as to exert pressure on said one collar tending to hold the same in engagement with the pawl, the barrel being axially shiftable relative to said one collar to disengage the pawl from the teeth, thus to free the collars and pencil for rotation in said one direction, to change the surface area of the pencil point that is in engagement with the surface on which the pencil is being used, said pawl being struck radially, inwardly out of the material of the barrel wall.

4. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and means rotatably mounted within the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said means including a pair of collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the collars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged to prevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth, the spring being further tensioned to expand in an axial direction, so as to exert pressure on said one collar tending to hold the same in engagement with the pawl, the barrel being axially shiftable relative to said one collar to disengage the pawl from the teeth, thus to free the collars and pencil for rotation in said one direction, to change the surface area of the pencil point that is in engagement with the surface on which the pencil is being used, said pawl being struck radially, inwardly out of the material of the barrel wall, said other collar being spaced longitudinally of the barrel from said one collar a substantial distance, the barrel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs struck inwardly out of the material of the same to support said other collar therein.

5. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and means rotatably mounted within the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said means including a pair of collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the collars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged to prevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth, the spring being further tensioned to expand in an axial direction, so as to exert pressure on said one collar tending to hold the same in engagement with the pawl, the barrel being axially shiftable relative to said one collar to disengage the pawl from the teeth, thus to free the collars and pencil for rotation in said one direction, to change the surface area of the pencil point that is in engagement with the surface on which the pencil is being used, said pawl being struck radially, inwardly out of the material of the barrel wall, said other collar being spaced longitudinally of the barrel from said one collar a substantial distance, the barrel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs struck inwardly out of the material of the same to support said other collars therein, said barrel further including at one end an inwardly directed circumferential lip, said other collar being rotatably supported Within the barrel with its opposite faces in engagement with the lip and lugs respectively.

6. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and means rotatably mounted within the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said means ineluding a pair of collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the collars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged to prevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth, the spring being further tensioned to expand in an axial direction, so as to exert pressure on said one coller tending to hold the same in engagement with the pawl, the barrel being axially shiftable relative to said one collar to disengage the pawl from the teeth, thus to free the collars and pencil for rotation in said one direction, to change the surface area of the pencil point that is in engagement with the surface on which the pencil is being used, the barrel being formed at one end with a slot, the spring being engaged at one end in said slot, said one collar having a marginal opening receiving the other end of the spring.

7. A holder for a pencil comprising a barrel, and means rotatably mounted within the barrel adapted to engage a pencil for rotation therewith, said means including a pair of collars spaced longitudinally of the barrel, said barrel being of circular cross section and said collars being externally of corresponding cross section for rotation of the collars relative to the barrel, said collars having coaxial, noncircular openings for receiving a pencil having a noncircular cross section complementing said openings, one of the collars having an annular series of ratchet teeth, the barrel including at least one pawl extending radially, inwardly thereof for engaging the teeth, said means further including a spring within the barrel connected between the barrel and said one collar and tending to rotate said one collar in one direction, said pawl and teeth being relatively arranged to prevent rotation of said one collar in said one direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth, said holder further including a manually operable detent shiftable against the pencil by a user to hold the pencil and barbel against relative rotation, thus to, when said pencil is of the mechanical type, permit manual rotation of a pencil extending and retracting means relative to the body of the pencil.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

